Tag: crime

The New York Times has an article today about a man on trial (link). His song lyrics are about to be used against him in court. If you read this blog you probably know some of my own music. This could very well be my worst nightmare.

“SHOULD rap lyrics be used in court as evidence of a crime? Next week, the Supreme Court of New Jersey will hear a case that could help decide just that. At issue is a prosecutor’s extensive use of rap lyrics, composed by a man named Vonte Skinner, as evidence of his involvement in a 2005 shooting. During Mr. Skinner’s trial in 2008, the prosecutor read the jury 13 pages of violent lyrics written by Mr. Skinner, even though all of the lyrics were composed before the shooting (in some cases, years before) and none of them mentioned the victim or specific details about the crime.” – NYTimes.com

Blackbook Magazine has an article from Steve Lewis that infamous club kid Michael Alig will soon be released from prison. In the late 80s I was friends with Ernie Glam who lived with Keoki and Alig near FIT in the garment district. Michael was always friendly to me. The apartment was across from Rogue Music and was filled with childrens furniture. One night I went out with the three of them and Alig was wearing one of is usual insane outfits: adult diapers. Some idiot outside whatever club we were at clocked Alig in the head. Michael just stood up gave him the finger and we moved on. Say what you will about him he was certainly tougher than he looked. He did a clearly bad thing but I’m not going to judge him. It will be very interesting to see his next steps. Will he find celebrity again or fade into history? What do you think?

Here’s something to think about: He get’s out before October 31. Halloween approaches and the big question pops into his head. Do I dress up? [Director: roll evil 80s music here!]

“He isn’t the cute kid from before, or the drug crazed demon, murderer and manipulator. A judge ruled a long time ago that he would serve a long sentence in a horrible place for what he did. He has served this sentence and during this time has had his ups and downs. We, in the perfect world, have also had our ups and downs. In the joint things can get exaggerated, escalate dramatically. Now it’s almost time for the world to embrace one of its lost souls again. Those who choose not to forgive must be respected, but those who will give from themselves and find forgiveness must be respected as well…” – Steve Lewis

Here’s an interesting tip I don’t recommend actually trying: Use iTunes and Tunecore to launder money! Apparently the Times Online (UK) says that’s exactly what happened using stolen credit cards.

“The Metropolitan Police and the FBI have caught an international criminal gang said to have made tens of thousands of pounds by buying their own records from Apple iTunes and Amazon with stolen credit cards. The gang are alleged to have created several songs that they provided to an online American company (Tunecore), which uploaded them to be sold on the two internet sites. It is believed that over four months from September last year the gang used 1,500 stolen or cloned British and American credit cards to buy songs worth $750,000 (£469,000). Amazon and iTunes, which were unaware of the fraud, paid $300,000 in royalties. Six men and three women were arrested yesterday by 60 officers at addresses in London, Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Kent. A man in his forties, was arrested later… It is believed that one of the gang is a DJ and that he created the songs that were then bought…” – timesonline.co.uk

This seems like a stupid crime because of the trail it leaves. I wonder if they had to actually download all the songs they bought. I guess this is one way to get onto the charts!

So apparently some guy in Texas tried to cash a fake check for $360,000,000,000. When confronted he said it was a loan from his girlfriend’s mother to start a record label! Doesn’t he know he can use Tunecore and get a bunch of albums on iTunes for less than $100? He doesn’t need print advertising and billboards right? He can just post news of his releases on forums and MySpace right? Well the truth lies somewhere in between $100 and $390 Billion.

A man has been accused of attempting to pass a $360 billion check, which he claims was given to him by his girlfriendâ€™s mother to start a record business, Fort Worth police said. Charles Ray Fuller, 21, of Crowley, was arrested on April 22 on an accusation of forgery, police said. Mr. Fuller was also accused of unlawful carrying of a weapon and possession of marijuana, Lt. Henderson said. Lt. Henderson said he did not know if Mr. Fuller and his girlfriend were still together. – www.dallasnews.com

This story is funny on so many levels. Then again, this guy just pulled an awesome publicity stunt. Too bad they don’t have his MySpace URL in the news article because I would have checked it out! Maybe the real point of this post is 15 minutes of fame is not enough if you want to make it in the entertainment world.